THE top-flight title race is not only keenly contested on the pitch - but an interesting psychological battle off the field.

Connah’s Quay Nomads lead the division, but boss Andy Morrison is playing down his side’s title chances, much like Barry Town manager Gavin Chesterfield, whose side are just a point off top.

The duo’s approach differs to Scott Ruscoe, who remains bullish about The New Saints’ chances of securing a seventh successive league title.

Saints are five points adrift of Nomads after a 1-1 draw with Bala, but the ex-Chester City midfielder said: “We give ourselves a target up until the split and we are still on course with the total we are on.

“It’s mid-December. We won the league by 14 points last year, so I’m not too concerned at the moment.

“Things aren’t going for us, but good teams show their character and they will always bounce back, and we are certainly a team.”

Nomads boss Morrison isn’t so sure that Saints, who head to basement outfit Llandudno tomorrow, will make it seven in a row, but he knows it will be tough for his team, or Barry, to stop the Park Hall outfit.

Asked whether Nomads can win the league, Morrison said: “I think it’s very difficult.

“I think it will be difficult for Connah’s Quay to win the league and I think it will be very difficult for Barry to win the league.

“But I do believe that TNS could lose the league.”

Chesterfield, meanwhile, insists Barry’s main focus is on securing a top-six finish before they even contemplate challenging for the title.

Barry are nine points clear of seventh placed Caernarfon, who visit Jenner Park tomorrow evening, with five games remaining, but Chesterfield said: “For us at the moment it’s about trying to secure a place in the top six.

“We are certainly not playing anything down.”

Morrison’s Nomads have home advantage tomorrow as Cardiff Met, who knocked the Flintshire side out of the League Cup, visit the Deeside Stadium.

Full-back Danny Holmes serves the first of his two-match ban for Nomads, who are also without Jay Owen due to a one-game suspension.

Eighth placed Cardiff Met are chasing victory as they attempt to keep their top six aspirations alive.

“Every week you’ve got a really difficult task,” said Met club captain Bradley Woolridge.

Colin Caton believes tomorrow’s home clash with Llanelli is one of three ‘must-win’ games before the split.

The Lakesiders face a festive double-header with current leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads, but Caton is focused on this weekend’s clash as well as fixtures with Cardiff Met and Caernarfon.

Looking ahead to the busy spell, Bala boss Colin Caton said: “It’s good and there’s a lot of points at stake.

“We have got massive games coming up over Christmas.

“We have got two games against Connah’s Quay and a trip to Cardiff Met.

“The Llanelli, Cardiff Met and Caernarfon ones are must win games.”

Llanelli are second from bottom in the table, five points adrift of 10th placed Carmarthen Town.

Boss Andy Hill is keen for his side’s luck to change after witnessing another tough 90 minutes in the 4-0 loss to Cardiff Met last weekend.

“I know it’s the old hard luck story, but we just don’t get any luck,” said Hill. “It seems refereeing decisions go against us every week.”

Strikers Steve Tames, pictured, and Mike Hayes are unavailable for Bala this weekend.

Carmarthen make their way to Newtown, who are flying high in fourth position.

Robins boss Chris Hughes has been dealt a blow by the news that defender Ben Bailey has returned to Hednesford Town.

Hughes said: “We are desperately disappointed because he did very well with us.”